Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Heading south, but stopping short of Florida
Scott and Cinde Woodcock became part of what officials in the mid-South say has become a trend — those initially thinking they would retire to Florida or the Southwest are instead coming to places like the Carolinas, Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia. Census data analyzed by the Brookings Institution show that mid-South locations were showing some of the most rapid increases in 65 and older populations. [Source: New York Times]
Florida tomato growers want U.S. trade decision before election
Florida tomato growers want the Obama administration to approve their request to terminate a 16-year-old tomato trade pact with Mexico before the November 6 presidential election, a lawyer for the group said on Tuesday. Florida growers complain the current agreement is outdated and fails to protect them against Mexican tomatoes sold in the United States well below the cost of production. [Source: Reuters]
Health care trends: Capital gains
Tallahassee-based Capital Health Plan is a rare bird in the health world: An HMO that has both held down costs and kept its customers happy. Intensive use of data and technology to track everything from knee surgeries to colon screenings is one of the hallmarks of Capital Health’s operations. Founded in 1982, the firm is part insurer, part provider. Full Story...
Stage is set for showdown on prison privatization in Florida
A long-running push by the administration of Florida Gov. Rick Scott to privatize thousands of prison jobs could soon be headed back to court, marking yet another constitutional clash for the Republican governor. [AP]
Florida credit unions rebound in auto, mortgage lending
Florida credit unions are posting their first quarterly growth in auto loans since 2007 and their first gain in first mortgage loans since 2009, according to a second-quarter report from the League of Southeastern Credit Unions. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Volunteers honor 9/11 victims through service [Miami Herald]
To recognize the victims and sacrifice on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, volunteers undertook several work projects to beautify a complex that helps veterans and the homeless.
› Six Florida universities make U.S. News rankings [Orlando Sentinel]
Six Florida universities are among the nation's top institutions of higher education, according U.S. News & World Report. The University of Miami, a private school, is considered the best in Florida. It tied with the University of California–Irvine for the No. 44 spot nationally.
› Port Canaveral cargo takes new twist: Modular homes [Florida Today]
The ship Nils B will leave Port Canaveral Wednesday with an unconventional cargo — eight modular homes destined for an indigenous “first nation” community in Labrador on the Atlantic Coast of Canada.
› IRS unveils ID theft program [Business Management Daily]
The IRS has implemented a new pilot program designed to aid law enforcement in obtaining tax return data to help investigate and prosecute specific cases of identity theft. This program is currently limited to coordinated efforts within the state of Florida.
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› University of Miami wins prestigious grant to bring benefits of research to communities [Miami Herald]
The University of Miami has won a $20 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to help translate research results into improved healthcare in areas including the use of stem cells to treat cardiovascular disease, testing women in Little Haiti for cervical cancer and preventing HIV transmission from mother to baby through antiretroviral injections.
› Florida early voting fight heading back to court [Tampa Bay Times]
Eight weeks before Election Day, as the state seeks federal approval of its new eight-day, 96-hour early voting timetable, U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, wants a federal judge to return early voting to its old 14-day schedule. That, Brown argues in court papers, would allow African-American churches to mobilize black voters on the Sunday that immediately precedes the election.
› Gulfstream reopening: $70,000 giveaway [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The casino that got overrun by a burst aquarium plans to flood its patrons with cash Friday. Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday at the entrance to the second floor. Then comes the loot: $500 every 30 minutes from noon to 10 p.m. for seven straight days. There also will be food and drink specials and live entertainment.
› Bloomin Brands reports 2.7% revenue increase [Tampa Bay Times]
In its first financial report card since going public in August, Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands said its total revenues increased by 2.7 percent to $981 million in the quarter ending June 30.